Lee Seham, the National Basketball Referees Association general counsel announced the NBRA’s official take on the matter as:
“After carefully reviewing videotape and related evidence concerning this incident, we have reached the inescapable conclusion that Harrell committed a deliberate assault and battery against Referee Goldenberg. Anything less than a multiple game suspension would constitute a green light for violence against officials”.
While the NBRA might not be able to suspend Harrell when it comes to NBA games, the NBA surely would have to take matters into their own hand, probably siding with the NBRA.